New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-12-25
THE STAGE.
GOSSIP ABOUT PLAYS AND ACTORS.

az am glad you have como in Just at this moment,"
said Richard Mansfield to q reporter " for can show
you something that has amused me very much Here
"a a COPY OF The ST. Louis Republican Of last SUM-
day. which has about three columns concerning the
rickery am supposed to employ to make the change
from Hyde to JekyL' reporter OF that paper
claims 10 have gone on the stage disguised super,
and never to have taken his eyes of me whllo was
upon tho scene And what wonderful eyes his must
be They arc capable Of presenting material images
OF his most extraordinary fancies He solomnly de-
clares that wear a thin rubber mask with holes cut
for the eyes and mouth, and that no watched me pull
It Off when passed my hands before my faco whe
making the change Not content with this assertion,
he gives his readers a drawing Of the mask He goes
on TO say that have trick wig with string AZ
tached TO nv collar button, and that whom break
that the Wild locks Of Hyde instantly arrange them-
selves into the smooth coiffure Of Jekyll' Then,
TIM ho has marvellous things to tell about my use OF
powders while on the STAGE and OF tho employment OF
calcium lights through groom mediums, which give my
fact a CHASTITY hue Now, OF course all this Is tho
most arrant nonsense. do not employ any mechan-
zeal aids In making tho change, and have Just Written
q letter TO Tho Republican stating that have no
mask trick wig, phosphorus paste. tho last peing
another Of tho devices attributed to mo-
"Have you at all changed your conception Oh
Jekyll since tho first pightr
"No There may DO some nuances hero and there'
but nothing material understand what you moan
You think my Jekyll' ID not that OF tho ooox' ana
you would ask II have nearer to tho original
frankly admit that my Jekyl Is not stevonsons'
II was aor oigh months OF serious thought ana study
that arrived at my conception and have no reason
to doubt that It Is tho right for dramatic purposes
Tho Jebyll of tho book Is hearty 1ov1al' middle
aged unromantlo person. We're no to DO so presented
before our eyes on the stage he would not satisfy tho
idea Of n man whose studies were In occult drec-
ton Besides, Is It not probable that good man a.
Jeky was and must bo in tho play to obtain force
OF contrast would have shown continually In his look
and bearing remoso for tho ascendency tho power OK
evil gradually gaining over him. and for tho crimes
no committed as Hyde'f We're to have shown him
aftor the murder as genial, jovial person, believe
the audience would have laughed at him and mo More
over had to introduce love Interest," ana ior mat
alone must make Jekyli somewhat interesting ana
rOmantlc.' "
DO you nnd tho dual part very hard working
ono1'
Yes To keep up the nervous intensity of Hyde
"a a great strain Not only have TO comfort my
features body and limbs but every part of mo must
DO kept trembling with excitement ~ relax In the
least my hold upon the audience IS gonc.'
"Was II your ldoa 10 play this part or did ORA
mattst bring you the piecer
and gavs TO Mr.. sullivan, who wrote the play
What your plans for next season, MT Mans
ncld1-
Nothing has been determined yet. have thron
or four plays under considrration and In future shan
connne myself 10 character part Of n serious type
have no ambition 70 be tragcdian, but shall aban
don tho field Of light comedy